DEFENCE OF THE TOTALISATOR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 888, 6 August 1910, Page 4

DEFENCE OF THE TOTALISATOR.

RETALIATION ON THE CHURCHES. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) . Napier, August 5. The agitation for the abolition of the totalisator was the subject of considerable discussion, at the annual meeting ol the iiawte's Bay Jockey Club. ilr. U. P. Konneily considered that the abolition of racing in f Hastings would mean a loss ol quite £21),UUU a year to tne district because racing operations Held a practical interest tor everyone from the farmer to tne tradesman and the meronant. The root of tne evil was amongst goody-goody people. He helped to build churches irom' Wellington to East Cape, but if these people, instead of looting after their, own business, wiped out the finest sport in the world, he would never give another penny ,to church charities or churches. Ho hoped others would follow suit, and when asked for subscriptions refer these people to persons of their own class and let them see how they would get on. When theso goodygoodies wanted subscriptions to their churches or their charities, whom did they go to? To the sporting class. (Applause.) . Mr. G. Ebbett said it was hard to say where these people would stop. If the totalisator went, racing would follow, and the liberties of tho people would be attacked on all sides until •lancing, and every amusement would be stopped with lie exception of Sunday school picnics and temperance teaflgnts. On tho motion of Mr. E. J. Watt, seconded by Mr. G. L. Sunderland, it was resolved: "That the membsrs of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club ; at their annual general. meeting. wish to strongly protest against tho tnreatenedi abolition of "the totalisator which they, are Btrongly of ''opinion is the fairest medium of gambling, and also that thej. desire to bring under the notice ot members of Parliament that if any reduction is to take place in permits it be left to the clubs now holding permits to arrange among themselves.